October 13, 1937 – November 21, 2025
Fr. William Hartenbach, C.M., was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late William John and Dorothy (Kubasch) Hartenbach. After graduating from St. Engelbert Elementary School, he attended St. Louis Prep Seminary High School. He continued his seminary education at St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri. It was there that he professed his vows as a member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) on December 8, 1960. He was ordained a deacon on October 7, 1963, before graduating from St. Mary’s in May in 1964 and was ordained a priest on May 24, 1964, by Bishop George Gottwald.
Fr. Hartenbach spent much of his priestly life in academia, serving as faculty/administrator at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, and De Andreis Seminary in Lemont, Illinois, and as rector of his alma mater, St. Mary’s of the Barrens. He was faced with the difficult task of closing the seminary at the Barrens in 1985. Fr. Hartenbach served the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in southern Missouri on two occasions: first in his work at the Evangelization Center in Cape Girardeau, then as a spiritual advisor to the clergy in the diocese. He served in that same role in the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. Father served the people of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis as a beloved associate pastor before being chosen as the Provincial of the Midwest (now Western) Province of the Congregation of the Mission. Fr. Hartenbach also served as Provincial Director for the Daughters of Charity, St. Louise Province.
Many of Fr. Hartenbach’s former students remained in contact with him over the years. They knew him as a very fine priest, whose intelligence and integrity fostered in his students a desire to do well. His background as a Church historian provided him with the insight to challenge his students to think about what was ahead for themselves, for the community, and for the Church. He always urged his students to be intelligent and wise as they made life choices.
When faced with significant health challenges, Fr. Hartenbach continued to serve the Church as he was able. When a serious condition temporarily prevented him from being able to swallow, his continued presence at Mass and his adapted means for receiving Holy Communion provided a powerful witness of his love for the Eucharist. In 2019, he once again returned to St. Mary’s of the Barrens, as a Confrere in care at the Apostle of Charity Residence, where he served as a member of the Prayer Ministry.
During his final years at Apostle of Charity, Fr. Hartenbach was a cheerful presence. He would greet visitors with the question, “How are you?” Woe be to the one who answered, “I’m good.” Ever the English teacher and theologian, Fr. Hartenbach would reply, “I know you are good. God made you that way. I’m asking if you are well or not.”
In addition to his parents, Fr. Hartenbach was preceded in death by his brothers, James and Thomas. He is survived by his sister, Nancy (Tom) McCue, his good friend, Cindy Goforth, his Vincentian brothers, the Daughters of Charity, and many friends.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Mary, Mother of God Chapel in the Apostle of Charity Residence in Perryville, with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in Mary, Mother of God Chapel, with Rev. Michael Joyce, C.M., presiding and Rev. James Cormack, C.M., preaching. Burial will be in the Vincentian Community Cemetery in Perryville.